Last Chance Texaco The Yorkshire Lass, New Marske-29th
November 2001 - Review by Keep it Live
Kev and Steve, formerly Bilbo, now Last Chance Texaco dropped
into The Yorkshire Lass at the back end of November. Having played
the previous night to a packed house (and I mean packed) at The
Quaker, Darlington, they found themselves in the generous surroundings
of New Marske and probably not such a large crowd, but no less
appreciative to these two fine musicians, the two that sometimes
become three as they had been the night before when Paul Smith
accompanied them on drums.
It's been nearly a year since I mentioned "they are the most exciting new act I have seen or heard in the last two years" and they still live up to that statement. Their alternative semi-acoustic rock ambience is a revelation. No specific order here of the set, but stand-out numbers were the exquisite 'Whiskey Lemon Valentine', succulent piece of work this as Kev and Steve embrace a fabulous tune with passionate and delicate vocal lines, 'Sleeping With Vampires' is tender and forceful, massive vocals against the progressive sound of flowing guitar and bass, they never let the tunes out of their sight, grasping and surrounding each number with emotion and fervour. You really have to hear Kev to know where I am coming from, he is a one of a kind talent in the vocal stakes. 'Ring Of Roses', where Kev's use of the lines from the children's nursery rhythm are creatively adapted, and again their ear for a good tune is pretty evident. The electro-acoustic mode suits them well, it's so subtle but you can feel the under-current of undeniable power in each number. They dropped the odd cover in, Joan Osbourne's 'If God Was One Of Us', Tom Petty's 'Free Falling' and Radiohead's 'Creep'. But it's their original material that gives me that buzz, as they continued on with 'Button Moon', 'Ladder To The Moon', 'Magic Bear' this is dedicated to Kev's little girl and really is so poignant, 'Keeping Me High' and encoring with 'The Blackbird Song'. Every number was digested by the crowd and received massive appreciation by the crowd here at The Lass.
A stand-out night for all who witnessed this performance, it is a real pleasure to see new talent in our 'more' local venues, this has to be encouraged at The Lass, after it's recent refurbishment, stage and lights, it is a pleasure to hear bands in this setting. As for Last Chance Texaco, they are an incredible outfit and have to be seen to believed. - Col
Review of Last Chance Texaco's Blakey gig 7th February 2002 Visit the Last Texaco website Back to the Band Index Page
